Hundreds of protesters from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar are grappling with heightened risks of infectious diseases due to overcrowding and unsanitary sleeping conditions, a volunteer medic has warned.
Open-Air Sleeping Conditions
Many demonstrators are sleeping directly on the ground in the open, lacking proper shelter or bedding. Shilpa, a volunteer providing free medical care at the site, said: "Many are sleeping on the ground in the open, increasing the risk of infection." The prolonged exposure to dust, moisture, and cold night air has led to a surge in respiratory infections and skin ailments, according to health workers on-site.
Health Concerns Amidst Protest
The CJP protest, now in its third week, has drawn participants from across the national capital region. With limited access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities, cases of diarrhoea and gastroenteritis have also been reported. Shilpa, who runs a makeshift clinic with two other volunteers, treats at least 40 patients daily. "We see coughs, fevers, and infected wounds from sleeping on hard ground," she added.
Call for Better Facilities
Protest organisers have appealed to the Delhi government for temporary shelters and mobile toilets, but no response has been received so far. Meanwhile, the risk of a larger outbreak looms as the crowd size continues to swell. Health experts, though not directly involved, have cautioned that such conditions could lead to the spread of more serious diseases like typhoid or hepatitis if unaddressed.
The situation highlights the challenges of mass gatherings in locations without adequate infrastructure, a recurring issue at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site.
